Texas A&M 2026 SEC Schedule: TV Profits Over People

When the SEC dropped the full 2026 schedule for Texas A&M, the conversation quickly turned to bye weeks and kickoff times. But look a little closer, and you will see a textbook example of corporate overreach in college athletics. As the Aggies chase their first SEC Championship and a College Football Playoff spot, the real winners are the media executives dictating the clock.

The Nine-Game Grind and Its Cost

Starting in 2026, the SEC transitions to a grueling nine-game conference schedule. For Texas A&M, this means a tougher path to the postseason. The conference is also locking in three annual opponents through 2029, forcing the Aggies to face LSU, Missouri, and Texas every single year. While fans love the rivalries, adding another conference game means more physical toll on student-athletes and more revenue for the league. It is a familiar story where the labor takes on more risk, and the institution reaps the reward.

The Flex Window: Serving Networks, Not Fans

Perhaps the most glaring issue with the schedule release is the heavy use of the